NICOLA STURGEON'S plea to postpone Brexit negotiations during the coronavirus pandemic has been rejected by the UK Government.

The Scottish Government had written to a member of Boris Johnson's top Brexit team to urge the UK to pause Brexit negotiations. Mike Russell, Scotland's Constitution Secretary, wrote to cabinet secretary Michael Gove requesting a halt to the withdrawal process amid the coronavirus pandemic. But Mr Gove rejected the plea and said the UK Government had no intention of changing the end date of the transition period, currently set at December 31.

Following three days of virtual negotiations this week, the UK and EU have said the sides remained deadlocked on core elements of the trade deal, including access to Britain’s fishing grounds and future alignment to the bloc’s regulations. However, tentative signs of progress have